Curse of Atlantis by Christopher David Petersen Read Free Book Online

have all the arrangements set by next week, so we’ll be leaving in two days for Greece as planned.”
    “Huh, I thought for sure we’d be delayed a week or so. So all the permits are set?” Serena asked.
    “ Not yet, but Burt thinks they’ll be signed before we get there,” Javier said, re assuringly.
    “Two days… I’ve got some work to do,” Jack said, picking up the phone.
    “Jack, everything’s taken care of. What work do you have?” Serena asked, a bit puzzled.
    “I’m building a side - scanning radar device,” Jack replied, proudly.
    “Jack, that’s fantastic, although I have to tell you, we do have all the latest electronics,” Javier said.
    “Oh, I’m sure you do. It’s more about me satisfying a hobby than it is about me adding a new piece of equipment to your repertoire,” Jack replied.
    “Jack, you really are amazing. Is there nothing you can’t do?” Serena asked, shaking her head in surprise.
    “Wi ndows… I don’t do windows , ” he shot back humorously.
    Jack picked up the phone a nd dialed a number from memory. He spoke quietly to the man on the other end for a few minutes, the n said, “Came out perfect? Fantastic . What about the other components?”
    There was a brief pause from Jack. He then responded, “Ok, thanks. I’ll be over shortly.”
    Hanging up the phone, he turned to the probing stare of Serena.
    “Cloak and dagger, eh Jack?” she teased.
    “Not really. I was just talking to th e guy about the radar equipment, ” Jack explained.
    “For a minute there, I thought you were secretly ordering us a pizza for lunch,” Javier teased.
    “Sorry, no pizza. I have to go pick up my parts, but I can bring one back when I return if you’d like,” Jack said, sincerely. “By the way Serena, can you give me a lift?”
    “One way or round trip?” she replied with a grin .
    ~~~~~  ~~~~~  ~~~~~
    "By the way Serena, we're going to need to swing by the bank first," Jack said with a knowing smile.
    "If you need some cash, I can lend you some," Serena responded.
    "This is going to be a much larger withdrawal ," Jack replied, cryptically.
    "The crystal?"
    "Yup?" Jack replied simply.
    "Shouldn't we wait until tomorrow? I know we haven't seen the Russians in a week, but why take a chance?"
    "The bank closes early on Fridays and we leave on Saturday, so it's either sometime today or only a few short hours tomorrow," Jack rationalized.
    "Hmm, I guess that sound s right. Does my dad know about this?"
    "Who do you think suggested it?" Jack said with a smirk.
    "Keeping secrets from me again, huh? What else aren't you guys telling me?" Serena asked, pretending to be offended.
    "I'll never tell," Jack replied humorously.
    The two jumped into her car and headed into town. With the windows down and the wind circulating around them, Jack breathed in the flowery scent of Serena's perfume. As they traded topics to talk about, Jack sneaked quick glimpses of Serena's beautiful Latin features. With her soft voice and intoxicating perfume, Jack struggled to concentrate on her words.
    "...and then it slipped out of my hands and smashed on the ground. Boy was my dad pissed," Serena said, finishing her story with a small chuckle.
    "Yeah, me too," Jack replied.
    Serena turned and looked at Jack for a moment. Feeling her eyes upon him, he turned and caught the puzzled expression on her face.
    "What?" Jack said, like a child caught in mischief.
    "Are you even listening to me?" Serena said, only mildly insulted.
    "What do you mean? Of course I'm listening to you," he replied, defensively.
    "Well , what was up with your answer then?" she pressed further.
    "What answer?"
    "I was telling you the story about a dig I went on with my dad and how I dropped an ancient vase and your response was 'yeah, me too , '" Serena explained.
    "I said that?"
    "Yeah... you did. Almost like you weren't listening," Serena said. "So... did you even hear a word I said?" she asked again.
    "To be honest... no, but I have a